01568nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653002500081653001900106653002300125653001700148653001600165653001400181100001000195700002100205700001900226700001500245700001400260245010700274300001000381490000800391520090100399022001401300       2006                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aSnakebite envenoming10aCause of Death10aHospital Mortality10aRural Health10aSnake Bites10aSri Lanka1 aFox S1 aRathuwithana A C1 aKasturiratne A1 aLalloo D G1 aSilva H J00aUnderestimation of snakebite mortality by hospital statistics in the Monaragala District of Sri Lanka.  a693-50 v1003 a<p>Estimates of snakebite mortality are mostly based on hospital data, although these may considerably underestimate the problem. In order to determine the accuracy of hospital-based statistics, data on snakebite mortality in all hospitals in the Monaragala District of Sri Lanka were compared to data on snakebite as the certified cause of death for the district, for the 5-year period between 1999 and 2003. Data were cross-checked in a sample of hospitals and divisional secretariats within the district. Hospital statistics did not report 45 (62.5%) of the true number of snakebite deaths in the Monaragala District. Twenty-six (36.1%) of the victims either did not seek, or had no access to, a hospital. Another 19 (26.4%) had arrived at hospital, but had done so too late to receive treatment. Our study confirms the limitations of official hospital-based mortality data on snakebite.</p>
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